The United Nations (UN) on Monday accused Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of obstructing aid to the famine-threatened Darfur region.
The RSF, which has been engaged in conflict with the regular army since April 2023, currently controls nearly all of Darfur, an area comparable in size to France.
Since May, the RSF has laid siege to El-Fasher in North Darfur and launched attacks on nearby displacement camps, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
\"The persistent restrictions and bureaucratic hurdles\" imposed by the RSF's humanitarian agency are hindering life-saving assistance from reaching those in desperate need, stated Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Sudan.
Famine has been declared in five areas of North Darfur, with projections indicating it may spread to five more by May, according to the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).
Nearly seven million people in Darfur are currently facing crisis levels of hunger, as per IPC data.
The UN has called for simplified bureaucratic procedures and an end to undue interference, including demands for logistical support or mandatory engagement with selected vendors.
Since the onset of the war, humanitarian workers have reported obstructions from both warring parties, looting of aid supplies, and threats against relief staff.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands, displaced 12 million people, and created what is described as the world's largest hunger and displacement crisis.
Overall, nearly 25 million people across Sudan are now facing severe food insecurity, as reported by the UN.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
